The four-cylinder Ford Mustang EcoBoost is often overlooked in the pony car lineup, due to it missing the thundering V8 of its GT sibling, but it’s still regarded as an underrated performance option.
Its lighter weight and common turbocharged 2.3-litre engine have led to a niche community of fans, and some enjoy modifying the Mustang EcoBoost to bridge the gap between it and the GT V8.
Ford has now listened to those wanting greater performance options with fewer cylinders, revealing the EcoBoost-based Mustang RTR.
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Built in collaboration with two-time Formula Drift champion Vaughn Gittin Jr’s ‘Ready to Rock’ business, Ford says the Mustang RTR represents just the second time it has allowed an outside partner to develop a performance version of the pony car which it has then sold in its own showrooms.
Ford had done so previously with the Australian-delivered Mustang R-Spec, which was supercharged and upgraded by Herrod Performance in Melbourne.
Ford has unveiled the Mustang RTR ahead of the Detroit motor show, and it’s due to go on sale in the US this year. An Australian launch through local dealerships is unlikely.
The carmaker has yet to detail what’s different about the Mustang RTR EcoBoost, however Mr Gittin Jr said it has “many enhancements, including Mustang Dark Horse components”.
Compared to the GT beneath it, the Dark Horse gained standard MagneRide suspension, a Torsen limited-slip differential and an uprated manual transmission.
From the pictures Ford has released, the Mustang RTR gets lime green Brembo calipers, 19-inch wheels and a rear spoiler, not all of which are standard on the EcoBoost in the US. Sadly the white and lime green livery pictured won’t be for sale.
It’s possible that the Mustang RTR will get a power boost to push it closer to the GT.
In Australia the EcoBoost engine produces 232kW and 475Nm, and is only available with a 10-speed automatic transmission. That’s 115kW and 75Nm less than the locally delivered GT, however the V8 is less than half a second faster from 0-100km/h.
RTR helped develop the new-generation Mustang’s ‘drift brake’ which uses a traditional handbrake lever linked to an electronic system to lock the rear wheels, initiating slides.
Mustang Motorsport currently fits RTR’s existing appearance and performance packages in Australia, which includes supercharger kits.
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